PODCAST · society
Model Behavior
by Macy Ricketts, Ph.D.
Brains, beauty, and bold moves—welcome to Model Behavior. Hosted by research scientist and model Macy Ricketts, this podcast explores the science of success, social dynamics, and the moments that make life interesting. From decoding the art of a legendary weekend to unpacking modern dating, ambition, and the unwritten rules of social circles, Model Behavior is where intellect meets real life. Whether it's a personal story, cultural deep dive, or a well-timed reality check, this is your space for candid conversations, bold choices, and embracing the journey with confidence.
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26
Slump Season
What’s a baddie to do when she momentarily forgets who she is? Spiral a little, stay busy, and then talk about it on a podcast. This episode is a full life update—winter travel, balancing modeling/research/Lagree, and a slightly unhinged studio moment (yes, someone started a fire). Plus, one random highlight: I got to ride a Zamboni at a pro hockey game. But mostly, I open up about some confidence struggles I’ve been working through and how I’m pulling myself out of it. What do you do when you're in a slump season and need a refresh? I want to hear about it.
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25
The Jump Shot Guide to Sliding into the DMs
If my mom can successfully shoot her shot at an NHL legend, you can definitely handle that DM you’ve been sitting on. Today, we’re talking shot selection, signature "soup" bases, and why your IG profile is doing more work than you think. I’m sharing a recent DM win (and a few losses) of my own to prove that authenticity beats a canned pickup line every single time. Stop overthinking the "send" button—we’ve got a survival guide to get through!
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24
Are You a Silly Goose or a Silly Goose Ally?
This week, I’m breaking down a very important (and very scientific) question: are you dating a silly goose, a silly goose ally, or—worst of all—the fun police?After running a highly controlled “ice cream flavor test” on one pro hockey All-Star (peer-reviewed by me and Meghan), I realized something: early-stage dating is basically one long improv exercise. And not everyone is equipped for the power play.We’re getting into:Why banter is one of the strongest indicators of compatibility early onThe psychology of humor, intelligence, and cognitive flexibilityWhy some people can commit to the bit… and others panicWhat your texting chemistry reveals about long-term relationship potentialAnd how to tell if it’s a bad bit… or just the wrong test subjectLet's be so honest for a sec: you're not just looking for someone attractive—you’re looking for someone who can keep up.Consider this your field guide to modern dating… one silly goose at a time.
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23
How to Be the Wingwoman Everyone Wants
In this episode, I’m coming at you from the Lagree studio and recapping my absolute whirlwind of a month — traveling to Scottsdale (twice), going to hockey games, getting cast in my first major commercial campaign, and showing up solo to the Waste Management Open as my own social experiment — plus stepping into bridesmaid duties for two back-to-back weddings (where yes, I notoriously roll alone). But the heart of this episode is about mastering the art of being a professional wingwoman: how to genuinely hype up your friend, help create her moment, and elevate her sparkle without dimming your own. I break down the mindset shifts and social strategies that let you be supportive, magnetic, and confident all at once — because being the ultimate hype girl doesn’t mean becoming a side character. You can hand her the spotlight and still keep your main character energy fully intact.
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22
Prayers, Pucks, and Possibilities: Trusting What You Ask For in 2026
In this episode, I’m recapping a heated hockey rivalry, how I somehow walked away with Sleeves’s hockey stick, and the unexpected joy of making new friends in the middle of it all. But beyond the pucks and the antics, this episode is really about faith—what it means to ask boldly, trust deeply, and believe that what you ask for can be given to you.As we head into 2026, I’m sharing why I’m choosing to pray in faith instead of fear, release control, and trust that the right things—people, opportunities, and yes, even hockey sticks—will find their way to me when the timing is right.If you’ve ever struggled with trusting the ask, letting go, or believing that good things can still come your way, this one is especially for you.
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21
Office Hours: How to Crush Without Crashing
This week on Model Behavior, I'm coming at you with an audio-only mini episode. I'm taking a minute to get all gushy about something super exciting—my podcast being recognized as one of Spotify’s Best New Shows of 2025! I’m sharing a little gratitude, a lot of crush talk, and some straight-up real-life lessons about how to enjoy a crush without turning it into a full-on daydream disaster. From celebrity flirtations to why every woman needs a crush list, we’re keeping it fun, flirty, and fully relatable. Plus, I’m spilling my holiday plans and a little festive cheer. Tune in—you’re gonna want to hear this one.
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20
Hot Girl Mission 101: How to Have Fun on Purpose
This week, we’re breaking down one of my favorite scientific frameworks: The Hot Girl Mission. Think field research, meets girl math, meets chaos theory. I walk you through a real-life experiment my friends and I accidentally ran this weekend involving a group of unnamed professional athletes, an abandoned primary hypothesis, and one extremely unexpected plot twist. We’re talking controlled variables (confidence), dependent variables (vibes), and the true purpose of a hot girl mission: to have fun, build evidence that you’re That Girl, and stop centering men in your confidence cycle.It’s science. It’s delusion. It’s empowerment. And yes, Irish car bombs were involved.
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19
Decentering Men 101: Building Self-Worth That's Yours
This week, we’re talking about decentering men — not in a man-hating way, but in a “my confidence doesn’t hinge on your attention” way. I'm diving into the psychology and science behind self-esteem, and how to rebuild a sense of worth that isn’t tied to how desirable you appear to men. From rewiring your brain’s reward system to learning what genuine self-validation feels like, this episode is all about being hot for YOU.
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18
Started From The Bottom Now We're Here
Life update: I’ve been on fly fishing adventures, doing some modeling, officially became a certified Lagree instructor (and got hired at a studio!), and have been watching hockey like it's my job. In this episode, I talk about what it really means to fall in love with the process — the messy middle between where you are and where you want to be.
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17
Body Positivity, Confidence, and Loving Myself Again
After a year away from modeling, I’m stepping back in with a whole new vibe. I’ve been on a journey of weight loss, skin struggles, and self-discovery, but the real win has been finding confidence in my own body again. In this episode, I’m talking about how I went from self-doubt to self-love, why the glow-up is way deeper than the scale, and what it feels like to finally feel at home in my own skin.
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16
IT'S TIME FOR FLIRTY GIRL FALL
Hot Girl Summer is over and it’s OFFICIALLY time for Flirty Girl Fall. I’m talking about how to cozy up your vibe, flirt for fun, and date like a scientist without overthinking it. Flirting isn’t about finding a boyfriend, it’s about feeling yourself, having a little fun, and collecting moments that make life more exciting! Grab your PSL, throw on your comfiest sweater, and let’s make this fall totally magnetic.
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15
The Kiss Lab
I did what any normal girl would do after a year of bad dates… I built a dating spreadsheet. And when I crunched the numbers, one thing stood out: the first kiss makes or breaks the entire vibe. In this episode, I’m breaking down the science of kissing (yes, dopamine and oxytocin are involved), how my own data proves a kiss can inflate attraction scores, and why one bad kiss has ended otherwise promising relationships. Let's talk about why first kisses matter more than they should—and what that means for dating today.
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14
Hot Girl Summer School
I'm back, did you miss me? I just got in from a chaotic week in LA -- think WNBA games, a Formula One mechanic, a Vanity Fair photographer, and an emotionally unavailable Taylor Lautner lookalike. I also gave my first invited talk at a national science conference (hot girl scientist era is activated). Now I’m packing up for five weeks in the Montana wilderness to teach alpine ecology, and I’m breaking down the science behind why we all need to log off and touch some trees.
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13
Listen To This If You're In a Situationship.
It started casual. Or at least I told myself it was. In this episode, I’m sharing the story of my almost-something with a hockey player and everything it taught me about situationships, mixed signals, and the mental gymnastics we do to avoid asking the hard questions. We’ll get into the science of why undefined relationships mess with your head, how to tell when it’s time to walk away, and why wanting clarity doesn’t make you dramatic. If you've ever felt stuck in the gray area, overanalyzed every text, or waited too long for clarity that never came, this one's for you.
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12
The Ultimate Length and Width Report: What My Dating Spreadsheet Taught Me About Self-Sabotage
What happens when a scientist tracks her entire dating life in a spreadsheet? You get The Ultimate Length and Width Report — a highly detailed, wildly revealing analysis of 17 first (and sometimes second, third, and...even sixth) dates, complete with stats on height, conversation quality, kiss ratings, and more.But this isn’t just about numbers...it’s a psychological deep dive into why I keep getting attached to the emotionally unavailable and overlook the stable, secure, actually-into-me guys. Using data, attachment theory, and a little bit of self-drag, I explore how trauma, limerence, and romantic projection play out in modern dating.This episode is for anyone who’s ever said “he has potential” with their whole chest while ignoring a literal walking red flag. It’s science-backed, a little unhinged, and painfully honest. Real data, real psychology, and real self-awareness. Let's get into it.
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11
5 Things No One Tells You About Making Friends in Your 20s
In this episode, I get into something that feels kind of overlooked but super real in your twenties: making friends as an adult.I’m sharing five things I’ve learned the hard way about building solid female friendships. We talk about showing up as the kind of person you’d want to be friends with, pushing yourself outside your comfort zone, staying consistent, and being able to tell the difference between a real friend and a frenemy. I also get into my theory on the Five Levels of Friendship: how people can move up or down depending on the season, and how managing expectations can save you from a lot of unnecessary drama.This episode is for anyone trying to figure out how to build real connection as an adult...without the group chat falling apart six months later.
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10
The Best First Date Theory
In this episode, I’m serving a full dating download: a long-lost MLB player texted me asking for feet pics, I roast blonde men for sport, and I spill the tea on my best first date ever. I'm also introducing the LBB Hypothesis—aka why every successful friend group needs a Little Blonde [Girl]. They run the world, they’re elite wingwomen, and honestly? Your dating life might depend on one. I also reveal my personal theory that first dates with the love of your life have to be awkward. Because if it’s too smooth, it’s probably not real. Chaos, cringe, yet still romantic—just how we like it.
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9
From Cowboy Country to Courtside Drama: Your Burning Questions, Answered
In this Q&A episode, I’m catching you up on what’s new in my world and answering some of your juiciest questions. I’m sharing what it was like living in the wild west of Wyoming (yes, there were cowboys), breaking down my current morning wellness routine that keeps me sane and centered, and getting real about the highs and lows of dating public figures. It’s a little bit wellness, a little bit wild, and a whole lot of honesty.
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8
Breakups, Proximity, and Accidentally Making My Brother Go Viral
This week, I'm diving into the chaos that unfolded after I posted a few innocent TikToks about my newly single brother... and they blew up. I share the behind-the-scenes story of how a weekend visit turned into unexpected internet fame (and a very overwhelmed sibling). Plus, I open up about a recent breakup that hit harder than expected—and how it made me rethink what really keeps people connected. From family dynamics to dating in your own city, I'm unpacking the underrated power of proximity in relationships, and why physical closeness might matter more than we think.
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7
Ep. 9: Back from the Road: Podcasts, Playoffs & Palm Springs Dating
I’m back from my two-week trip, and I have thoughts. In this episode of Model Behavior, I share my first attempts at recording video podcasts, my latest gaming obsessions, and my unfiltered take on reality TV chaos like Temptation Island. I also dive into the madness of March Madness, the importance of family support during my dad’s surgery, and a birthday celebration that was definitely one for the books. And of course, I couldn’t come back without a dating story—this time from Palm Springs, featuring all the highs, lows, and unexpected twists that make modern dating so ridiculous (and entertaining).
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6
Ep. 8: My Breakup Glow-Up: How I Stopped Crying Over a Pro Athlete
After a breakup, I threw myself into a Hot Girl Mission—without even realizing it. In this episode, I break down what a HGM really is, how it helped me move on, and the unexpected lessons I learned along the way. If you’ve ever struggled to get over someone, trust me, I’ve been there. Let’s talk about what actually works.
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5
Ep. 7: How NOT to Do a DDK: I Broke the #1 Rule
Sooo… I tried the DDK, and I did it completely wrong. Turns out, picking a genuinely nice guy for a DDK? Rookie mistake. In this episode, Sigrid and I dissect my experience, where I went off-script, and why some people (me) might not be built for this. We also tackle the big question: Is a DDK right for you, or are you destined to break the rules like I did?
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4
Ep. 6: The DDK Playbook
Ever heard of a DDK (Drink, Dance, Kiss)? My best friend Sigrid and I are breaking down the ultimate blueprint for a no-strings-attached night out. In this episode, Sigrid shares how she mastered the art of the DDK, the rules to follow, and why it's the perfect move for a little effortless fun. If you've ever wanted to know how to execute the perfect, flirty, no-pressure encounter, this one's for you.
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3
Ep. 5: My Grand Slam Dating Diaries (Part 2)
I wasn’t even playing, but somehow, I ended up courtside for one of the messiest love triangles I’ve ever witnessed. A pro tennis player, a very hot Australian model, and some truly diabolical behavior—let’s discuss.
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2
Ep. 4: My Grand Slam Dating Diaries (Part 1)
I’m heading to Palm Springs for the Indian Wells tournament soon, but before I start plotting my next Hot Girl Mission, we need to talk about tennis fashion—because some of these accessories are criminal. After that, I’m spilling the tea on my OG HGM involving a certain French Open fling. Buckle up, this one’s juicy.
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1
Ep. 3: Modeling 101.
From the lab to the runway—how did I end up balancing two completely different worlds? In this episode of Model Behavior, I’m sharing my journey into modeling, from how I got started to the unexpected lessons I’ve learned along the way. I’ll take you behind the scenes of the industry, spill on the best (and worst) parts of the job, and answer the questions people always ask me about being both a scientist and a model. Whether you’re curious about the business of modeling, the reality behind the glamour, or just here for the stories—this one’s for you.
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Ep. 2: The Science of Having the F-Word (F.U.N.)
Ever wonder why some weekends are unforgettable while others fall flat? I'm breaking down the fun formula—the perfect mix of people, setting, mindset, and luck—plus the psychology behind peak experiences, bold moves, and keeping the high alive without the post-weekend slump. Featuring a wild Vail recap, DJ run-ins, and a strategic approach to maximizing the magic.
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Ep. 1: Unlocking Your Main Character Era
What does it really mean to be that girl? From confidence hacks to strategic spontaneity, I'm breaking down the mindset shifts, social dynamics, and science-backed tricks to stepping into your power. Plus, a wild story that proves the universe rewards main character energy.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Brains, beauty, and bold moves—welcome to Model Behavior. Hosted by research scientist and model Macy Ricketts, this podcast explores the science of success, social dynamics, and the moments that make life interesting. From decoding the art of a legendary weekend to unpacking modern dating, ambition, and the unwritten rules of social circles, Model Behavior is where intellect meets real life. Whether it's a personal story, cultural deep dive, or a well-timed reality check, this is your space for candid conversations, bold choices, and embracing the journey with confidence.
HOSTED BY
Macy Ricketts, Ph.D.
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